You Never Know How God Will Choose to Encourage You

Sometimes being a novelist can be discouraging. Mediocre sales. A harsh review. Unkind email from a reader. Rejection by a publisher. Losing an agent. Feeling like you’ve run out of ideas. I’m sure the list could go on and on, as varied in number as there are authors.

But God is an encourager, and He often sends encouragement when and where we least expect it.

A couple of weeks after Poppet died, my heart still so tender and my tears still so plentiful, I looked out my back window and saw a neighbor I hadn’t met yet with a new black lab puppy. This young woman moved into her house earlier this year (in the midst of our snowiest winter since 1982). I had seen her outside a couple of times with a large yellow lab. Well, with my heart still hurting over Poppet, I had my shoes on and was out the door in seconds, dying to pet a puppy. I should mention that both of us were still wearing pj bottoms, so there was instant kinship.

I called to ask her what her puppy’s name was (Bailey), but we chatted at least ten minutes before I said, “Oh, by the way, I’m Robin.” Then she introduced herself, and we laughed about how we had covered the important info — Bailey’s name and learning that her yellow lab had died suddenly, right around the same time as Poppet— before we ever bothered with trivial info such as our names. We enjoyed visiting, but it was mostly all about dogs.

A couple of days later, she was out in the common area with Bailey and I went out again, needing another fix of puppy slobber. After more visiting, including learning that she is new to the area, I sent her my Contact info via AirDrop on our iPhones. I wanted her to know that she wasn’t alone here in the neighborhood if she ever needed help. When she received my contact info, she looked at her phone and her face got a funny expression. Then she looked up and said, “Do you … write lots of books?” I laughed and said yes.

Well, turns out she and her mother are huge fans and own many of my books. In the weeks since we first met, she and I have chatted numerous times. Then her parents came for a visit, and I’ve spent time talking with her mom too. They have told me such kind things about my books and what they mean to them.

Isn’t it just like God to not only encourage me in such a way (over Poppet, over my books) but to give me two new friends besides? Because that’s what they’ve become.

And speaking of new friends, I’d better show you the latest photo of Boo. She’s coming to live with us in another 12 days from this posting. Still feels like such a long, long wait.

Facebook friends know that I am worse than a 5-year-old on Christmas Eve when it comes to my anticipation for the day we pick up Boo and bring her home. I already have her playpen set up in the dining area. I already have food and treats and toys. I even have a big stuffed snuggle dog (about three times her size) that has a beating heart to hopefully help her through the first few nights without her mom and litter mates.

The first thing Jerry says to me when he wakes up is, “How many days?” I can always tell him the number of days, and often I can tell him the number of hours too. Like yesterday morning, he asked, “How many days?” and I answered, after a quick glance at the clock, “13 days and 3 hours.”

Like my new neighbor and her mom, God has encouraged me through this puppy who I haven’t even met yet.

Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her 70+ books have won multiple awards, including the RITA, the Christy, and the Carol Awards. Robin and her husband make their home in Idaho.

Hi Robin, I loved your post. How fun to meet new friends and share a love for puppies and reading. : ) The photos of your new puppy are so cute. I can’t wait to hear how it goes when she comes home. Blessings, Carrie

This is such a lovely post! God is so gracious to send us encouragement in so many ways. Years ago when my daughter was in the midst of cancer treatments I was constantly encouraged in many unexpected ways, and always when I needed it, whether I knew I needed it or not. I wrote them all down, which started a habit of recording how God is working in my life each day. And God is using you (all of you authors) to encourage us readers with every book!

Amen! God is so faithful to encourage us in unexpected ways right when we need it most.

Also, I think it’s fabulous that you have something (Boo’s arrival) on your calendar to look forward to and anticipate. Anticipation is such a wonderful feeling. …Becky, the girl who never peeked at her Christmas presents early because she enjoyed that delicious sense of anticipation.

Becky, I’ve told people (as in this post) that my excitement level is that of a 5 year old on Christmas Eve. I used to wake my mom up every hour all night long with “Can we get up yet?” More than once we opened presents at 4 AM, just so my mom could get some sleep afterward. LOL!

What kind of puppy is Boo? We had a German Shepherd/spitz mix named Boo about 25 years ago. She was a smart and beautiful dog. Your new puppy is cute/ We are Australian Shepherd lovers. We lost two dogs in 2013 due to old age and cancer. I know what you’ve been through. We are happy owners of Shelagh, another Aussie that we’ve had for 3 1/2 years. She is a blessing from God and sure brightens up our home.

Oh, Robin – she’s absolutely adorable! That little face would melt my heart in a split second! Won’t you have fun “puppy training” her. And what a great post! It’s true – God always knows when to send someone to encourage and comfort.

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